After I wrote that Intolerance for Waste is one of our five company values, several people asked me what the other four company values were. So I thought I’d write about those too.

Publix Super Markets and its 154,000 associates are united behind one goal – to be the premier quality food retailer in the world. Number one. Top dog. THE Leader.

As everyone knows, you don’t achieve a goal like that without a coherent plan. So company leaders identified the five values vital to success. Those five values are as follows:

A passionate focus on Customer Value

Constant Intolerance of Waste

Dedication to the Dignity, Value and Employment Security of our Associates.

Devotion to the highest standards of Stewardship for our Stockholders

Responsible Citizenship in our Communities.

As you also know, a plan is just a piece of paper without the leadership to communicate the plan and without the workforce to enthusiastically implement it.

I’ll let you judge Publix’s success in this regard. But I don’t mind pointing out a few facts to help you with your decision.

For 19 consecutive years, we have been one of FORTUNE’s “Most Admired Companies” in the world,” ranking No. 1 in the food and drug industry.

For 18 consecutive years, we’ve scored higher than any other supermarket chain for customer satisfaction in a national survey conducted by the American Customer Service Index.

For 15 consecutive years, we’ve been on FORTUNE’s list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For.”

For 8 consecutive years, Publix has been listed on IDG’s ComputerWorld “100 Best Places to Work In Information Technology.”

Last year, Publix topped the rankings of the Corporate Social Responsibility Index developed by the Carroll School of Management’s Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College in conjunction with the Reputation Institute.

Publix has avoided layoffs for its entire 82-year existence.

While other companies downsize, go bankrupt or are acquired by competitors, Publix keeps growing, even through recessions. In 2008, we opened 83 new stores even as Wall Street and the banking industry were imploding. And we’ve continued to open new stores every year since then.

United Way tapped Publix for two of its highest awards last year when associates raised $26 million and was matched by the company with another $19.7 million. Our current campaign is expected to raise even more.

This year, J.D. Power & Associates recognized the Publix Pharmacy as a Customer Service Champion, one of only 50 companies to earn this distinction.

I am worried.
Publix, while expanding, continues to be a premier grocery store with humble southern roots. Yet, as grand openings sprinkle northern states, home territory stores are showing clear signs of corporate downsizing. To be clear, encouraging retirement. First, a stock increase, then prorated year end bonuses as retirement incentives. How close are we to the next steps? When did Publix get so big?

We continue to identify opportunities to expand in our six operating states and make business decisions based on what will add to our success. This is an exciting time at Publix and our associates continue to be part of that growth, which in turn creates great opportunities for associates. As company owners, our associates share in the success of our company and our stock price increase is due to many things. Several factors are our performance and improvements in the stock market, as well as the exceptional service our associates continue to deliver.